
Marine & Natural History Photography BA(Hons)
Use your passion for photography to inspire people about the environment.
Course overview
On this Marine & Natural History Photography degree the outdoors will be your studio. You’ll master how to communicate scientific ideas and conservation stories through still and moving images, raising awareness of global issues including habitat loss, climate change and plastic pollution. For your final major project, you can follow the lead of former students who’ve returned from destinations worldwide with powerful and thought-provoking stories.
You will:
- Take part in regular photography field trips
- Have the option to learn professional underwater photography
- Take your skills to the industry through work placements, which form a key part of the second year
- Organise and complete a self-devised project in your third year, mirroring an industry brief, which could be based anywhere in the world
- Be supported by staff who are global practitioners in photography, filmmaking, art, science and exploration
- Build technical expertise using our cutting-edge photographic equipment, as well as studios, post-production suites and dark rooms
The Integrated Foundation Year and placement year pathways for this course are new for entry year 2023 and subject to validation.
Lead image by James Welch.
Course details
On this Marine & Natural History Photography degree, you'll have the opportunity to gain a BA(Hons) degree over three years or the option to study Marine & Natural History Photography BA(Hons) with an Integrated Foundation Year and/or placement year.
Blending professional practice with theoretical knowledge, this environmental photography course will help you develop the critical understanding essential for your future career. You'll also have the chance to gain real-world experience during and after your studies through our relationships with agencies and conservation trusts, and paid opportunities through our in-house photo agency.
You'll practice photographic skills alongside research and critical thinking. During this year, you'll explore biodiversity and habitat, as well as the marine environment, and will participate in a number of local field trips to land and marine environments.
Modules
Developing Practice
You'll be introduced to basic photography skills and camera techniques.
Research and Critical Thinking
Learn how to generate ideas, understand the impact of photography and improve your writing.
Biodiversity and Habitat
Study the intricate web of life in a local habitat.
Exploring Practice
More advanced photographic skills and camera techniques.
Communicating Nature
Learn to communicate scientific ideas through text and photographic sequence.
The Marine Environment
Explore and photograph the seashore and oceans. Within this module you will also be given the opportunity to explore underwater photography if you're a qualified scuba diver and wish to participate. To qualify for underwater photography you must have achieved the PADI Rescue diver qualification (or equivalent ie. BSAC Sport diver) by October of your starting Academic year.
Alongside studying moving image and still photography, you'll develop your research and critical thinking skills, explore global conservation, and get ready for your own research project.
Modules
Moving Image and the Natural World
Work in groups to create a short film.
Photography of the Natural World
Learn about natural history photography and develop your own portfolio.
Conservation and its Representation
Examine conservation issues and learn how photography and moving image can make an impact.
Independent Practice
Create your own short film and photographic story.
Culture and the Environment
Devise a research project focused on an issue that interests you.
Work Experience
Spend a short period of time undertaking work experience in a relevant professional context.
You can choose to take an optional placement year after your second year on a three-year programme, or after your third year if you’re studying for a degree with an Integrated Foundation Year.
You’ll be responsible for finding your own placement, with support from the RealWORKS employability team.
Choosing this option will enhance your industry experience and skills while studying.
How you’ll study during your placement year
You’ll spend time working in a professional context, as part of a business or organisation. This can be in one role, or up to three, and must be for a minimum of 24 weeks.
You’ll develop in-demand workplace skills, deepen your insight into industry and grow your network of contacts, all of which could help you get ahead in your career after graduation.
Throughout this year, you’ll develop a portfolio of work that includes critical self-reflection on what has been learned from the experience. You’ll be required to evidence your experiences, the skills you’ve learned and your professional growth.
You'll keep building your photographic skills, develop your final portfolio and dissertation, and prepare to enter the industry.
Modules
Project Development
Begin to develop a major project using still photography or moving image.
Dissertation
Research and write a dissertation on a subject of your choice.
Major Project
Complete your major project and develop a professional portfolio.
Professional Profile
Build your profile to a professional standard and make contacts within the industry.
Why study an Integrated Foundation Year route?
If you’re taking on a new subject that you haven’t studied in depth before, have been out of education for a while or have a non-standard educational background then an Integrated Foundation Year degree may be the right choice for you. It is a four-year degree with an Integrated Foundation Year to start, which allows you to explore the primary elements of your subject before progressing on to the remaining three years of the BA(Hons) degree.
What you'll study in your Foundation year
If you choose this pathway, you'll study five core modules in your Foundation year. These are all designed to help you explore the foundational elements of your subject. You'll gain relevant technical skills, learn to experiment and take risks, develop an understanding of professional practice, have opportunities to work across disciplines and collaborate with other students on live project briefs.
Modules
Explore
You'll begin your foundation year by working collaboratively with others to explore themes of the future. You'll take risks, experiment through play and be supported to break through barriers.
Technique
You'll take subject-specific workshops and develop essential technical and practical skills in your area of study. You'll also enhance your analytical and organisational abilities.
Apply
You'll work with your peer group to think beyond discipline by addressing a societal or global issue. You'll then showcase your work to your peers and deliver and accompanying evaluation of your process.
Industry
You'll enhance your creative and practical skills in your subject specialism by responding to typical industry briefs, underpinned by focused research and experiments. You'll also gain industry insights through guest lectures and workshops.
Launch
You'll develop your unique identity in your specialism through the production of a self-initiated body of work. Your final project will be the bridge to your next year, fully supported by evaluative reviews and critical analysis of the work you have created.
After the Foundation year, you progress into Year One of the full three-year degree, equipped with a deeper knowledge of your subject, a clear understanding of your strengths, and develop a practical and technical skillset and the confidence to excel in your chosen subject.
If you apply for and enrol onto a degree with an Integrated Foundation Year, you’ll have the option to switch onto a five-year version including a placement year. That means you’ll complete the first three years of your course before completing a placement in industry in your fourth year and returning to Falmouth for the fifth year of your programme.
The Integrated Foundation Year pathway for this course is new for entry year 2023 and subject to validation.
The modules above are those being studied by our students, or proposed new ones. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Course Leader.
From module information to course aims and assessment criteria, discover the full course details.
How you'll learn
You'll learn through field trips, photographic and scientific excursions, technical workshops, lectures, seminars and tutorials. The Marine & Natural History Photography course includes an optional underwater programme with dive tuition and international photo shoots. There will also be chances to join photographic expeditions to places like the Galapagos Islands, Borneo and the Red Sea, and to take on national and international placements.
Students have previously created projects that have documented climate change in Norwegian glaciers, conducted research in the Ecuadorian rainforest, and filmed conservation work in the Amazon rainforest.
At Falmouth, we use a 'digitally enhanced learning & teaching' approach. Your experience will always be predominantly in-person, including seminars, tutorials and studio teaching, with some, more targeted elements, being online either live (synchronous) or pre-recorded (asynchronous). You can read more here.
How you'll be assessed
100% of your assessment will be coursework.
Assessment methods
- Foundation year assessments are 100% coursework based
- Continuous assessment with no formal examinations
- Portfolios, presentations and essays
- End of year project and exhibition
What our students do
As a student on this Marine & Natural History Photography degree, you'll have the opportunity to join international expeditions to locations such as the Red Sea and the Galapagos Islands.
Check out the stories below to see what our students have been up to lately.
Stories from our community
Explore student projects, graduate successes, staff news and industry insights

Image courtesy of Jenna Hinton and Emily Smith
Landscape art project aims to boost wellbeing and creative curiosity
09 March 2023
A Cornish ‘sand art’ master has coached a group of Falmouth University students through a projec...

Image: Adam Tidman
Photography students are preparing for the Red Sea exhibition
09 February 2023
Discover the work and experiences of student's who went on this year's Marine & Natural History Phot...

Falmouth filmmakers commissioned by the BBC to share stories of positivity
09 November 2022
Anna Roberts, senior lecturer on BA(Hons) Marine & Natural History Photography, and a team of alumni...

Meet the graduate on a mission to clean up Cornwall’s coastline
04 August 2022
BA(Hons) Marine & Natural History Photography graduate Henry Giltjes-Vincent is thrilled to be c...

Talking inspiration & inclusivity with graduate Abbi Hughes
21 June 2022
Lead image credit: Jack Johns Abbi Hughes graduated from Marine & Natural History Photography...

Meet the graduate exposing a global coffee crisis
26 August 2021
A new documentary by aspiring filmmaker and photographer Hedvika Michnova has exposed how the climat...

Photography Student Snaps Best in Show at the AOP Student Awards
27 July 2020
BA(Hons) Press and Editorial Photography graduate Elliot Caunce has received the Best in Show title ...

Filmmaking for Galapagos Conservation
19 March 2020
This collaboration enables staff and students to gain access to parts of the Galapagos Islands that ...

Alumni Winners in Cornwall’s 30 Under 30
09 March 2020
Cornwall’s 30 under 30 for 2020 have been announced. Congratulations to the Falmouth alumni who we...

Celebrating Rewilding in the Cairngorms
04 March 2020
Marine & Natural History Photography students have captured the awesome beauty of the rewilding ...

Student Win at Underwater Photographer of the Year
28 February 2020
Marine & Natural History Photography student Shannon Moran has won third place at this year's Un...

Role at Red Bull Kicks Off Graduate's Career
26 February 2020
Elliott Harrison graduated from Marine & Natural History Photography last summer, after a six mo...

Supporting Conservation Through Film
18 February 2020
In May 2019, Marine & Natural History Photography Associate Lecturer Neil Aldridge got the call ...

Students Commissioned to Film Galapagos Land Birds
23 June 2019
Diving with sharks, snorkelling with penguins, swimming with green sea turtles and eagle rays; these...

Students Commissioned to Film Galapagos Land Birds
23 June 2019
Diving with sharks, snorkelling with penguins, swimming with green sea turtles and eagle rays; these...

Students Praised During Final Year Show
31 May 2019
Third year Marine & Natural History Photography students have just celebrated their final year d...

Capturing the Red Sea
15 April 2019
“One of the best two weeks of my life”, said several second-year BA(Hons) Marine & Natural H...

Capturing the Red Sea
15 April 2019
“One of the best two weeks of my life”, said several second-year BA(Hons) Marine & Natural H...

Expeditions and Exhibitions: A Busy Life for Photography Graduate
02 April 2019
Since graduating from BA(Hons) Marine & Natural History Photography in 2016, Chloe Russell has b...

Expeditions and Exhibitions: A Busy Life for Photography Graduate
02 April 2019
Since graduating from BA(Hons) Marine & Natural History Photography in 2016, Chloe Russell has b...
Staff
You’ll be guided and supported by practising photographers, scientists and explorers. Their careers span working and exhibiting photographs internationally, producing wildlife films and leading expeditions.
Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every staff member who teaches on the course.

Dr Daro Montag
Associate Professor of Art & Environment
Daro Montag's art practice has, for many years, been involved with environmental and ecological issu...

Adrian Brown
Senior Lecturer, BA(Hons) Marine & Natural History Photography
Adrian is a senior lecturer on the BA(Hons) Marine & Natural History Photography and heads the t...

Anna Roberts
Marine & Natural History Film Tutor
Following my Zoology degree at Manchester University, I made my first documentary in the Himalayas, ...

Dr Joanna Henley
Senior Lecturer
I am a marine educator with a PhD in the visual communication of marine science. I joined the M...

Feargus Cooney
Associate Lecturer
I have been teaching on Marine and Natural History Photography since 2014. Having a double set of qu...

Dr Huw Lewis-Jones
Associate Professor of Environment and Culture
Dr Huw Lewis-Jones is an environmental historian and expedition leader. Huw ...

Oliver Udy
Head of Photography
Oliver Udy is a photographer, publisher and general facilitator of things.Udy joined Falmouth Univer...

Dr Tim Cockerill
Senior Lecturer
Dr Tim Cockerill is a zoologist, broadcaster and photographer. Tim specialises in documenting a...

Claire Braithwaite
Lecturer BA (Hons) Marine and Natural History Photography
Claire Braithwaite is an artist and photography educator with over 12 years experience teaching acro...

Kate Bell
Photography Technician
I graduated from Manchester Metropolitan in 2007 with a First Degree Hons in BA Photography. During ...

Jane Morgan
Dive Safety Officer and Dive Technician
Jane's career began as an IT trainer at News International in London. However, after discovering a p...

Helen Perkins
Dive Safety Officer
I graduated from Plymouth College of Art and Design in 2000 where I specialised in fine art landscap...

Dave Mann
Technical Instructor
I have worked as a professional photographer and photography educator&n...
Facilities
- Multiple studios, darkrooms and print suites.
- Photography store containing a wide range of professional equipment free to loan.
- Macro and long lenses, macro flash, infrared triggers and time-lapse and underwater cameras.
- Digital suite with Adobe software.
- Photo-microscopy laboratory.
- Digital and traditional processing facilities.
- Walled garden with fully equipped hide for nature study, photography and filming.

Photography Facilities
Housing dark rooms, post-production suites, full professional studios and gallery, our Institute of ...

Library Facilities
Offering extensive collections, our two libraries provide a wealth of digital resources, magazines, ...

Sports Centre
Our Sports Centre, on Penryn Campus, includes a spacious gym with up to 90 of the latest, new statio...
Careers
Our graduates have worked as:
- International Filmmaker with Sir David Attenborough’s Seven Worlds, One Planet, for the BBC
- Principal Cameraman for Channel 5 series Alaska: A Year in the Wild
- Photographer for BBC Wildlife magazine
- Field Assistants for a loggerhead turtle programme in Kefalonia
- Researcher in the BBC Studios Natural History Unit
How to apply
Apply via UCAS
Ready to join us? You can apply through UCAS. You'll need to reference the course and University code (F33).
Applying as an international student?
International students can apply for a course through UCAS, via an agent or directly with the university. For more information about how to apply as an international student, visit our international applications page.
Course route | UCAS code |
---|---|
Marine & Natural History Photography BA(Hons) three year degree | WF67 |
Marine & Natural History Photography BA(Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year (new for entry year 2023) | FY20 |
Marine & Natural History Photography BA(Hons) with placement year (new for entry year 2023) | PY37 |

Application advice & interview information
Go to ToolkitWe consider all applications on their own individual merit and potential. We invite all applicants to an interview day or audition to give them the opportunity to demonstrate this along with what inspires and motivates them in their field. Applicants will also be able to show their portfolio or give a performance depending on the course. We welcome applications from all subject backgrounds, whether you’ve specialised in STEM, the arts or humanities.
Course route | Entry requirements |
---|---|
BA/BSc(Hons) three year degree | 104 – 120 UCAS Tariff points |
BA/BSc(Hons) four year degree with placement year | 104 – 120 UCAS Tariff points |
BA/BSc(Hons) four year degree with Integrated Foundation Year | 80 – 120 UCAS Tariff points |
Check the title of your course to see if it's a BA or BSc award. UCAS Tariff points will primarily be from Level 3 qualifications such as but not limited to A-levels, T Levels, a BTEC/UAL Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma.
For applicants whose first language is English we require you to have or be working towards GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent.
If English is not your first language you will need to meet the same standard which is equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. We accept a range of in country equivalencies and approved tests.
If you need a student visa to study in the UK, you may need to take a recognised language test. You can read our English Language Requirements for more information.
For starting your studies in 2023
UK applications: 25 January 2023 (for equal consideration)
Applications after the 25 January will be considered on a first-come, first-served as long as there are places available. Apply for this course now.
International fee payers
International fee payers can apply throughout the year. But we recommend applying as early as possible, to make time for visa and travel arrangements.
Entry requirements for optional Underwater Photography module
- PADI Rescue diver or equivalent ex. BSAC Sport diver
- Medical clearance to dive.
For more information, click the button below:
What we're looking for
We want someone who:
- Shows genuine passion for photography and the natural world.
- Shows a reasonable level of technical knowledge and skills.
- Has good visual awareness.
- Can research, write and analyse to a reasonable level.
- Intelligently and articulately expresses ideas and responds to questions
Fees, costs & funding
Tuition fees
Annual tuition fee | Student |
---|---|
£9,250 per year | Full-time UK |
£17,460 per year | Full-time EU/international |
Annual tuition fee | Student |
---|---|
£9,250 per year | Full-time UK |
£17,460 per year | Full-time EU/international |
£1,850 per placement year | Full-Time UK and EU/international |
Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.
The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs
Typical course costs
- £500-£1,000 - A digital SLR camera of reasonable quality (if not already owned) with manual over-ride to any automatic settings.
- £350 - Recurring annual costs
- £400 - Appropriate kit and clothing
- £600-£650 - One off costs for the course duration (compulsory trips, final portfolios or shows, etc)
- £3,800 - Optional study visits and placements for the course duration
If you need to bring equipment or materials with you, these will be outlined in your Welcome Letter.
Additional typical course costs for Integrated Foundation Year pathway
- £250 for materials
- A laptop/desktop computer
- Adobe Creative Suite
In order to participate in our digitally enhanced learning approach, you'll need to have a personal laptop/desktop computer. Depending on your subject, you may need a specific type of computer. If you're unsure about what you might need, please contact our course advisors.
Funding
For information about funding available, please visit our student funding pages.
Ask a student
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From course details and academic support, to the social scene and settling in, our students are ready and available to answer any questions you might have. Simply set up your account, send them a question and they'll get back to you within 24 hours.
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